Because No Military Caregiver Should Walk Alone.
At Hearts of Patriots, we walk alongside those families by providing education, practical resources, and a community that understands what life after service can look like. Together, we are helping caregivers grow stronger, Veterans heal, and families thrive.
When a Veteran comes home carrying the invisible wounds of war, the entire family begins a new journey. Spouses often become caregivers, children learn to navigate unexpected challenges, and families search for understanding, encouragement, and hope.
MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND HEARTS OF PATRIOTS
Real people. Real commitment. Real impact.
Denise Weller
Co-Founder & Executive Director
For more than 30 years, Denise has combined nonprofit leadership, storytelling, and the performing arts to educate, inspire, and strengthen communities. After witnessing her daughter Megan’s journey as the spouse of a combat Veteran living with PTSD and TBI, Denise created Blood Stripe: A Spouse’s Story, an original multimedia production and subsequent documentary that brought the experiences of military caregivers to audiences across the country. Today, she leads the organization to ensure caregivers are seen, supported, and reminded they never have to face this journey alone.
Megan Cain
Co-Founder & Managing Director of Mission Advancement
With more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Megan leads fundraising, communications, strategic partnerships, and donor engagement. Her passion stems from personal experience as the spouse of a combat Veteran. When her husband returned home with PTSD and TBI, she spent years navigating the challenges of caregiving and raising a family. Through education, counseling, and community support, Megan discovered that healing begins when caregivers are equipped with knowledge and encouragement; a journey that now inspires her work to help other families find hope sooner.
WHY OUR WORK MATTERS
Caregivers Strengthen Veterans
Equipped with encouragement, education, and support, caregivers are better prepared to help their Veteran heal and move forward.
Families Strengthen Families
Strong caregivers create stronger marriages, healthier relationships, and more resilient children.
Families Strengthen Communities
Healthy military families build stronger neighborhoods, schools, churches, and communities across America.
OUR STORY
Every Mission Begins with a story
In January 2005, Sergeant Jeremy Cain deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines during Operation Iraqi Freedom. During that deployment, 46 Marines and two Navy Corpsmen made the ultimate sacrifice. Jeremy returned home after surviving three improvised explosive device explosions, carrying the invisible wounds of war.
As his wife, Megan spent years searching for answers, resources, and hope while learning to navigate life as a military caregiver. Along the way, they realized that while countless organizations support Veterans, very few focus on the individuals standing beside them every day.
That realization became Hearts of Patriots. Today, the organization equips military caregivers with education, practical resources, scholarships, and a community that reminds them they never have to walk this journey alone.
